{{Printer-friendly|''[http://usscouts.org/advance/docs/34124.pdf Click here for the online Merit Badge Application]<br>Print on both sides of regular or blue paper or card stock and trim off the edges. This will print three blank forms per page. The back should line up with the front side. Ask your council what merit badge applications they will accept.|auto|10%}}

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[[Boy Scouts]] and [[Varsity Scouts]] may work on merit badges from they time they join a Scout troop until they turn 18 years old. See [[Merit Badge]] for more details.

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[[Boy Scouts]] and [[Varsity Scouts]] may work on merit badges from the time they join a Scout troop until they turn 18 years old. See [[Merit Badge]] for more details.

* The [[Merit Badge application|Merit Badge Application]] #34124 is known as a "blue card" due to its distinctive color.

* The [[Merit Badge application|Merit Badge Application]] #34124 is known as a "blue card" due to its distinctive color.

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* Though it has not been clearly stated in the past, units, districts, and local councils do not have the authority to implement a different system for merit badge approval and documentation. In any case, through the years, many councils have created new forms and approaches to the process, some including IT components. In an effort to gather and consider these potential best practices, councils are now asked to submit descriptions and copies of their blue card alternatives to the national Advancement Team.

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* For very large events—such as the national Scout jamboree—the National Council may approve an alternative format and sizing for the blue card. This is done through the national Advancement Team.

* Merit Badge Blue Cards are [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/SearchPage.aspx?page=LIST&free_text=34124* sold online at Scoutstuff.org] or at your [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/storeloc.aspx local Scout Shop].

* Merit Badge Blue Cards are [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/SearchPage.aspx?page=LIST&free_text=34124* sold online at Scoutstuff.org] or at your [http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/storeloc.aspx local Scout Shop].

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* There is an [http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/docs/Merit-Badge-Application-34124A.doc Online Merit Badge Application] that you can fill out and print from your PC.

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* There is an [http://usscouts.org/advance/docs/34124.pdf Online Merit Badge Application] that you can fill out and print from your PC.

* For helping filling out a blue card see the [http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/docs/Merit-Badge-Application-Sample.pdf Sample Merit Badge Application].

* For helping filling out a blue card see the [http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/docs/Merit-Badge-Application-Sample.pdf Sample Merit Badge Application].

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* For an Excel spreadsheet that can be used to directly print information on the #34124 "blue card" see the [http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Image:Blue_Card_Printing_-_example_Nuclear_Science_MB.xls Blue Card print spreadsheet].

== Key Merit Badge Rules ==

== Key Merit Badge Rules ==

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* ''"Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time. You don't need to have had rank advancement to be eligible."

* ''"Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time. You don't need to have had rank advancement to be eligible."

* ''"Scoutmaster will give you the name of a person from a list of counselors."

* ''"Scoutmaster will give you the name of a person from a list of counselors."

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* ''"You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor."

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* ''"You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor." (youth protection buddy system - scout, friend or relative)

* ''"You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated—no more and no less. You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements."

* ''"You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated—no more and no less. You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements."

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* Note that some [[Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval|Merit Badges Require Prior Approval‎]] for certain requirements. The rest do not: ''" Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time...You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated—no more and no less." - [[Bookshelf#Bylaws and Rules|Boy Scout Requirements]] p. 22 - 23.

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* Note that some [[Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval|Merit Badges Require Prior Approval‎]] for certain requirements. The rest do not: ''" Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time...You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated—no more and no less." - [[Boy Scout Requirements]] p. 22 - 23.

* The use of [[Merit Badge Worksheets]] cannot be added as a requirement by a counselor.

* The use of [[Merit Badge Worksheets]] cannot be added as a requirement by a counselor.

Click here for the online Merit Badge ApplicationPrint on both sides of regular or blue paper or card stock and trim off the edges. This will print three blank forms per page. The back should line up with the front side. Ask your council what merit badge applications they will accept.

The Merit Badge Application #34124 is known as a "blue card" due to its distinctive color.

Though it has not been clearly stated in the past, units, districts, and local councils do not have the authority to implement a different system for merit badge approval and documentation. In any case, through the years, many councils have created new forms and approaches to the process, some including IT components. In an effort to gather and consider these potential best practices, councils are now asked to submit descriptions and copies of their blue card alternatives to the national Advancement Team.

For very large events—such as the national Scout jamboree—the National Council may approve an alternative format and sizing for the blue card. This is done through the national Advancement Team.